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No infiltration from China: A.K. Antony

New Delhi, Feb 12 IANS | 1 year ago

There has been no infiltration along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on the Sino-Indian border and transgressions are due to different perception of boundaries, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said Wednesday.

"No infiltration has taken place along the India-China border/LAC. Due to differing perceptions of LAC and both sides patrolling up to their respective perceptions, transgressions do occur," Antony told the Rajya Sabha.

"Specific incidents of transgressions along the LAC are taken up with the Chinese side through well established mechanisms like border personnel meeting, flag meetings, Working Mechanism on Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs and diplomatic channels," he said.

The LAC is the effective border between India and China. It is 4,056 km long and covers four states: Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

The minister said government was "seized of the security imperatives of the country and reviews the threat perception from time to time".

"Necessary steps to secure border areas are in place for ensuring the national security concerns through development of infrastructure, including rails, roads and forward air fields, as well as building the operational capabilities of the armed Forces."

In response to another question, the minister said: "Three Chinese civilians were apprehended in June 2013 in Ladakh along with a few political maps of China, a sword and a knife."

He added that a camera installed on the Indian side of LAC in eastern Ladakh was removed by the Chinese army June 17, 2013.

"As per the established mechanism, a protest was lodged with the PLA June 19 and the camera was returned July 3," Antony said. "There has been no incident of stealing of arms from our jawans."